First LNG-fueled Harvey Gulf OSV launched

JANUARY 22, 2014 — The Gulfport, MS, shipyard of Gulf Coast Shipyard Group (GCSG), Inc., has launched the first of the six 302 ft x 64 ft dual fuel offshore supply vessels that it is building for Harvey Gulf International Marine, New Orleans, LA.

Incorporating breakthrough clean-burning LNG technology, the vessels position Harvey Gulf as a leader in the application of liquefied natural gas as a marine fuel and demonstrate GCSG’s ability to meet marketplace demand.

"The launch of the first vessel of its kind in the United States, with another five to follow, demonstrates the commitment both Gulf Coast Shipyard Group and Harvey Gulf have to providing engineering solutions to advance environmental technologies," said John Dane III, Gulf Coast Shipyard Group’s President and CEO.

Harvey Gulf CEO, Shane J. Guidry, commented: "Certification of these vessels will be made by the American Bureau of Shipping to achieve ‘ENVIRO+, Green Passport’ status. To meet the criteria, GCSG has met the requirements that the vessel be constructed with environmentally-friendly materials and feature advanced alarm systems. Ultimately, the vessel will also be continuously manned by a certified Environmental Officer."

The first of the GCSG-built Harvey Gulf OSVs will be moved to the space recently commissioned by the shipbuilder at the Port of Gulfport (see earlier story) in mid-March for final completion and testing. The vessel will be christened and placed into service a few months later.